Contracts for the construction of five dual-track rail projects worth 95.8 billion baht are expected to be signed by September, says Anon Luangboriboon, inspector-general of the Transport Ministry.

Mr Anon, who is also the acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), was speaking at an "integrity pact" signing ceremony for the construction of three tunnels along the Map Kabao-Thanon Chira Junction line. The pact was signed by 16 companies.

The SRT, bidders and an inspector of the Comptroller General's Department and six representatives from relevant organisations signed the pact to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability in the bidding process, he said. The 7.9km section will cost around 9.3 billion baht.

As for the 196km Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin dual-track project, bidding on the 15.8-billion-baht section will take place on Aug 10. Bidding on the 167km section between Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon will be held on Aug 31.

The SRT, bidders and an inspector of the Comptroller General's Department and six representatives from relevant organisations signed the pact to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability in the bidding process, he said. The 7.9km section will cost around 9.3 billion baht.

Pull the other one. They [the government] will sell out to the Chinese [if needs be] like everyone else around SEA to get this stuff done.

Don't read beauty magazines...they will only make you feel ugly - Baz Lerman

Yes, but to get back on track ( Interesting expression in this context) the Chinese civil engineering is excellent, they build to last and their work ethic unbelievable. The labor would be local and that in itself would be good.

Two giant construction companies have won contracts for two sections of a 169km double-track railway from Nakhon Pathom to Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan worth 16 billion baht.

Tanongsak Pongprasert, deputy chief of the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Traffic Business Cluster, said the double-track railway contract was split in two -- Nakhon Pathom to Nong Pla Lai, valued at 8.39 billion baht, and Nong Pla Lai to Hua Hin, worth 7.67 billion baht.

An SRT source said AS Associated Engineering (1964) Co Ltd made the lowest bid for the first section, 8.19 billion baht, 192 million baht below the median price set by the SRT. Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc submitted the lowest tender for the second section, 7.52 billion baht.

Mr Tanongsak said the bidding results would be submitted to acting SRT governor Anon Luangboriboon for initial approval. They would then be then forwarded to an SRT board meeting next month for an official official announcement of the contract winners.

The contracts for both sections would be signed next month.

The source said the Nakhon Pathom-Prachuap Khiri Khan tracks are the first phase of five double-track railway projects, covering 668km and valued at 92 billion baht. The Transport Ministry expected to finish the bidding for the five routes in September.

The SRT also planned to call tenders for the 167km Prachuap Khiri Khan - Chumphon rail line, with the estimated cost at 16.23 billion baht. The list of qualified bidders would be announced on Aug 21 and bidding would be on Aug 31.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!